Latest news with #Foyle
Irish Independent
22 minutes ago
- Politics
- Irish Independent
Micheál Martin not aware of any talks with former SDLP leader Colum Eastwood over Irish presidency
It has been reported that Mr Eastwood is considering a bid for Aras an Uachtarain. Asked to confirm if Mr Eastwood had been approached by the Fianna Fail party, Mr Martin questioned the basis for the question, adding: 'There's been no contact with me, there's been no engagement that I am aware of from the Fianna Fail party and it hasn't been on the agenda at all.' Mr Martin said he was 'surprised' to hear Mr Eastwood was considering a run but said 'it's open to everybody to put themselves forward'. He said Mr Eastwood was a 'very effective parliamentarian' but Fianna Fail had not concluded on deliberations 'at all'. Mr Eastwood has said he is considering entering the race to become the next president of Ireland, which will be held in November. The Foyle MP stepped down as leader in October 2024. Incumbent President Michael D Higgins is not eligible to stand again as he will have completed two full seven-year terms. Mr Eastwood said he was considering because 'people have asked'. "We'll see where it goes," he told the BBC. "There's very few candidates in the field right now. It's something that needs a lot of consideration. "I'm going to take the time to think about it, but it's a long summer and there's enough to be getting on with before any decisions around that would have to be made.' Meanwhile, Northern Ireland First Minister Michelle O'Neill has not ruled out a run for the Irish presidential election. Asked if she was considering putting her name forward, Ms O'Neill said Sinn Fein is working its way through deliberations on putting forward a candidate.
Belfast Telegraph
19 hours ago
- Business
- Belfast Telegraph
Derry to Dublin air route expected to re-open ‘next year', says Irish minister
Foyle MP Colum Eastwood tonight has welcomed progress on the restoration of the route following a meeting between Irish Minister for Transport Darragh O'Brien and City of Derry Airport today. Mr O'Brien has confirmed that he expects services to commence later in 2026. Mr Eastwood said: 'This is great news for Derry and it's another important part of enhancing connectivity between every part of the island to drive investment, create jobs and deliver more opportunities for people in the North West. 'The Irish Government set out a clear and positive commitment to establish a new public service obligation route between Derry and Dublin in the Programme for Government this year and I am delighted that Minister Darragh O'Brien and others have wasted no time in rolling up their sleeves and getting to work. 'This is a great example of how prioritising investment across our shared island can deliver for people and communities in every part of Ireland. I'm looking forward to continuing to work with the Minister and the whole Irish Government to deliver on shared priorities.' Earlier, Mr O'Brien met with the Chief Executive of Derry City and Strabane District Council John Kelpie and management of City of Derry Airport. They discussed the progress to date on the service between Dublin and Derry City airports, and the preparatory work under way. Mr O'Brien said: 'In the context of building our shared Island, the Programme for Government includes a very clear commitment to engage with relevant stakeholders to establish air connectivity between Dublin and Derry City airports. "We had a very constructive meeting today on progressing this commitment, and once the preparatory work is completed, I expect services will commence later in 2026 following a procurement process.' Irish Department of Transport officials are also engaging closely with colleagues in the Shared Island Unit, Stormont's Department for the Economy, the UK Department for Transport, and the European Commission in relation to any State aid implications and obligations. A Market Sounding Exercise is planned by the Department this year, to better inform the level and frequency of services that may be required on this Public Service Obligation (PSO) air route. Attendees at today's meeting were Minister of State at the Department of Arts, Media, Communications, Culture and Sport Charlie McConalogue; Donegal County Council Chief Executive John McLaughlin; Chief Executive of Derry City and Strabane District Council John Kelpie; Chairman of City of Derry Airport Albert Harrison; Deputy Chairman of City of Derry Airport Paul Byrne; Director of City of Derry Airport Seamus Neely; Managing Director of City of Derry Airport Steve Frazer; and Department of Transport officials.
Daily Record
20 hours ago
- Sport
- Daily Record
Martin Foyle mind made up on Carlisle United move as recruitment chief leaves St Mirren
The Port Vale goal machine opted to explore a new challenge south of the border where he will team up with Manchester United and Wales legend Mark Hughes. St Mirren's summer recruitment drive has been interrupted following Martin Foyle's SMiSA Stadium departure. The Buddies head of recruitment has joined National League side Carlisle United where Manchester United and Wales legend Mark Hughes is manager. Foyle has been quickly replaced in the role by ex-Celtic, Rangers and Blackburn Rovers talent spotter John Park. The Port Vale goal machine joined the Saints in 2022 under manager Stephen Robinson – who he also worked with at Motherwell – and has played a pivotal role during his spell with Saints. In a statement, the Buddies confirmed Foyle was moving on to a 'new challenge'. But in an interview with Carlisle's media team, when asked if it was difficult to leave Saints, Foyle admitted it 'wasn't really'. He added that there were 'things going on in the background that people don't see' but he stressed that his relationship with Robbo was 'fantastic'. The Northern Irishman has banged the drum for Foyle throughout his time at Saints and recently spoke about his invaluable contribution as a 'one-man band'. He said: 'Martin has been an integral part of what we've done over the past three-and-a-half years and he's been an integral part of what I've done as a manager over 10 years now. He's a close friend of mine now and it's a sad loss for the club. 'Another opportunity arose that was exciting for him and it's with regret that Martin is leaving. I'd like to put on record my thanks to him for his recruitment and for all he's done at the football club. 'The club have appointed John and it's important that we get working together quickly, build a relationship and I look forward to that.' Park has a big role to play immediately with Saints' summer transfer window plans in full swing. He added: 'I'm delighted to be joining St Mirren. I'm excited to meet the manager, build a relationship with him and add to the good work that has been done over the past few years. 'The club has a clear strategy in terms of its football operations and I believe my experience will help build upon that.'
Daily Record
a day ago
- Business
- Daily Record
Martin Foyle aims St Mirren parting shot as transfer guru hints at issues behind the scenes
Experienced Foyle, 62, called time on his three years in Paisley to join non-league English side Carlisle United Former St Mirren recruitment chief Martin Foyle aimed a parting shot at his old club after joining Carlisle United. Experienced Foyle - who previously bossed Port Vale, Wrexham and York City - quit Saints for the non-league Blues earlier this week. The former Motherwell talent spotter spent three years in Paisley as the Buddies made history by achieving three top-six finishes on the bounce. Foyle, 62, claims he had a strong relationship with miracle-working boss Stephen Robinson but insists it wasn't a difficult decision to leave - hinting at issues behind the scenes. He said: "No, not really. There are things going on in the background that people don't see. "But my connection with Stephen is absolutely fantastic. He's a top-drawer manager, but sometimes, you need to move on. "Fresh faces, meeting people, but it's the project of trying to get Carlisle back in the league that excites me." Foyle will now work with Welsh legend Mark Hughes, who has extended his stay at Brunton Park despite relegation from League Two to the National League. Foyle added: "I've had a brief chat with Mark. We're meeting up on Friday at his house so we can have a good feel of what he's thinking and wants. "Then it's a case, really, of what I can do. I've known Mark before. "He's come across, good football pedigree, we were chatting away and he was just trying to sell me it bit by bit and I just got hooked on it. That's why I'm here." Former Celtic and Rangers transfer guru John Park has been appointed as Foyle's replacement after leaving his role as head of recruitment at Blackburn Rovers. St Mirren chief executive Keith Lasley said: "We are sorry to see Martin moving on and wish him the best of luck in his new challenge. "His contributions have been key in the club's progression over the past few seasons and we thank him for all his efforts. "We have, however, moved quickly to bring John to the club and we are excited to welcome him to St Mirren. "John's experiences across the world, significantly in player trading and youth development, make him the ideal person to build upon the relative success at the club over the past few years in line with our club strategy." Tune in to Hotline Live every Sunday to Thursday and have your say on the biggest issues in Scottish football and listen to Record Sport's newest podcast, Game On, every Friday for your sporting fix, all in bitesize chunks.
Yahoo
09-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Will the lights ever come back on at a £1m piece of public art?
It was to be the near £1m piece of public art symbolising Londonderry's transition from a city of conflict to a capital of culture. Mute Meadow, a series of illuminated steel columns on the banks of the Foyle, was unveiled in 2011. But since the lights went out more than a decade ago, its pillars have been left to gather rust. Now, its artists are calling for it to be repaired, restored and reinstated "for the people of the city". Vong Phaophanit, a Turner prize nominee and his co-creator, Claire Oboussier told BBC News NI it is "regrettable that no action has been taken" in the years since the lights went out. Derry City and Strabane District Council, which manages the artwork, said design work for the repair has been completed. Work is now underway to identify the required budget, the council added. That cost has not been made public. The Executive Office, owners of the Ebrington site on which it stands, "will consider a contribution" when it is made aware of the cost. Sitting at the Ebrington end of the city's Peace Bridge, Mute Meadow consists of 40 angled steel columns. The intention was that the steel pillars would be illuminated by LED projectors and lit up in the colours of the stain glass windows of the city's Guildhall. It was designed to create a "vast field of light" across the River Foyle. Costing £800,000, and funded by Stormont, then Arts Minister Gregory Campbell said it would "place arts and culture at the centre of the city's regeneration". Maurice Devenney, Derry's then mayor, said then that it "reflects positively how the city is moving forward" as it prepared for its year as UK City of Culture. It was at the time, the largest piece of public art on the island of Ireland. But right from the off it was dogged by problems. Within months of being switched on, the lights went out due to issues associated with the fabrication of the work. It was fixed temporarily but by 2014, the lights had gone again. Mute Meadow has by and large, remained in the dark ever since. It is now more like "an unfinished building site" than a million pound artwork, SDLP councillor Rory Farrell told BBC News NI. "People don't know what it's meant to be, it is an eyesore," he said. At a time when budgets are tight and a number of local groups have lost out on core funding, Farrell said he understands the repair work may not be everyone's priority. "But I for one want to see this operational, it would add to out cultural offering and transform the landscape along the river," he said. The hundreds of people to cross the city's Peace bridge daily pass just yards from Mute Meadows' metal pillars. Mark Froydenlund told BBC Radio Foyle he knows the nearby steel pillars are "some kind of sculpture". The cost seems "expensive" given it doesn't work, he said, adding "they should get it working". Maurice Hudson and Deirdre Watson from Belfast are staying in a hotel just a few hundred yards from Mute Meadow. Neither "had a clue" the artwork existed or what the steel columns are for. Maurice said there are other priorities "like the state of our national health service." Deirdre agreed, adding money could be spent "a better way, for things like housing". But Maurice added, when a lot of money has already been spent, the lights should be on. "With the people of Derry/Londonderry not having to pay for the electric," Deirdre added. Billy Quigley tells the BBC he has "no idea" the steel beams at the end of the Peace bridge were intended to be a work of art. "That is wasted money," he said, adding the money spent thus far could "have gone to better causes". In a statement, Phaophanit and Oboussier said there seemed to have been a lack of care around their artwork. The artists hope that "proactive action" is taken to repair the piece and reinstate it for the city. Mute Meadow, the artists said, was "one of our most challenging and meaningful pieces of work to realise". "Our hope and intention was that it would make an enduring contribution to the Derry cityscape - a positive and peaceful space where people could gather, somewhere where Derry citizens could continue to develop a sense of collective belonging for years to come." The artists said they remain committed to help in any way they can. The council said a concept design has been completed to restore the artwork's lighting. "Council is currently working to identify adequate budget to deliver the works," a spokeswoman said. The cost of those works is due to be presented to councillors in the coming months. "Council will also continue to work with The Executive Office to find a lasting solution for the long-term future of the artwork." The Executive Office (TEO) said it is also supportive of the work needed to repair it. "We understand a concept design exists for relighting the artwork and a cost estimate has been compiled. On receipt of costs from council we will consider a contribution," a TEO spokesperson said.
